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Remote and Mobile Workers May Add to Security Woes...

New SupportSoft Research Finds Enterprises are Struggling to Keep Remote Computing Endpoints in IT Compliance

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- ...

on 2005-08-31 04:00:41

...for Banks Already Under Attack

New SupportSoft Research Finds Enterprises are Struggling to Keep Remote Computing Endpoints in IT Compliance

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- Large business enterprises are struggling to manage the security vulnerabilities associated with a mobile and remote workforce, according to a new national and independent research study conducted by SupportSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ?), a leading provider of Real-Time Service Management (RTSM(TM)) software. And the risks may be even greater for financial institutions, which faced an estimated 34 million targeted security attacks in the first half of this year alone(1). The just released study reveals that 91% of desktop management professionals surveyed believe it is more difficult to harden remote and mobile endpoints against emerging security or virus threats.

In the survey conducted by Quality Resource Associates(2), 89% of IT desktop managers responded that remote and mobile endpoints make it harder to remain in compliance with IT, financial, regulatory or security policies. Moreover, 50% of respondents indicated that remote and mobile end-users actually ignore IT policy and regulatory compliance requests. These problems may be on the rise. Gartner, Inc., the world's largest IT research organization, predicts that by 2008, four out of every 10 PCs purchased by large enterprises will be notebooks(3).

Almost half of desktop managers surveyed agree that the most frustrating thing about managing the IT needs of remote and mobile workers is that it is harder to enforce IT policies. When asked about what would make their job easier, the most often selected response (64%) is the ability for desktop management to verify in real time that all remote and mobile endpoints are in IT and regulatory compliance.

According to Gartner analysis, "The tools and policies designed to support desktop PC users who are permanently connected are not sufficient to manage the intermittently connected users. Minimizing the risk of a known vulnerability requires the ability to intervene before somebody exploits it. Confidence that PCs are secure against a known threat requires guarantees that the necessary fix or patch is in place, or that there is an effective shield in place for the vulnerability. Only a known and predictable PC environment can offer such a guarantee(4)."

The SupportSoft Endpoint Automation Suite can help large enterprises minimize the risks associated with securing and managing remote and mobile endpoints by:

speeding patch distribution to all endpoints;

reaching all endpoints, both inside and outside of the corporate firewall; and

verifying that patches have been distributed to all endpoints in real time.

Moreover, the SupportSoft Endpoint Automation Suite can enable large enterprises to more easily diagnose and repair endpoint-related problems, which are especially common to remote and mobile endpoints, including the ability to:

automatically prevent or repair common problems in real time, including connectivity issues that prevent remote and mobile workers from receiving alerts, software updates or patches;

proactively communicate with end-users about new threats and upcoming software or patch updates;

report and track patch coverage and effectiveness during service outages or events; and

automatically escalate end-user issues to assisted service when necessary.

"Endpoint vulnerability to security attacks is growing with the increase of remote and mobile workers. Even one non-compliant endpoint can have a devastating effect on the corporate network, should the lack of compliance introduce a virus throughout the enterprise and inhibit the productivity of thousands of employees," said Simon King, senior director of enterprise product management for SupportSoft. "Reaching remote and mobile endpoints to ensure their compliance and stop problems before they occur is critical for desktop management. This can be especially true for financial institutions that typically have a large network of branch offices or employees who work with customers away from an institution's corporate office. The SupportSoft Endpoint Automation Suite can effectively mitigate that risk by giving enterprises the ability to speed patch deployment among hard-to-reach remote and mobile endpoints -- and verify their installation in real time."

To learn more about SupportSoft and its products, visit booth "S" at the Gartner Financial Services Technology Summit this week at the New York Marriott Marquis: www.gartner.com/2_events/conferences/fsit1.jsp .

About SupportSoft
SupportSoft, Inc. is a leading provider of Real-Time Service Management (RTSM(TM)) software designed to improve enterprise endpoint automation and technical support and enable triple play service automation for VoIP, video or broadband delivery by service providers to their customers. Digital service providers benefiting from SupportSoft solutions include Auna, Belgacom, BellSouth, Casema, Charter Communications, Comcast Communications, Cox Communications, Time Warner, TDC Cable TV, TeliaSonera, UPC and Verizon. Enterprises that have licensed SupportSoft software for IT requirements include ADP, Bank of America, BT, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Siebel Systems, Sony and Thomson Financial. Managed service providers that utilize the Company's solutions to provide outsourced services to their enterprise customers include ACS, CGI, CompuCom and CSC. For more information, visit www.supportsoft.com .

(1) The survey was conducted in July, 2005 on behalf of SupportSoft by independent market research firm Quality Resource Associates (QRA.) QRA surveyed 112 Desktop Managers at companies of 5,000 or more employees. The survey results indicate a margin of error of 4.6% at a 90% confidence level.

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